Hi, I am 24 years old and have alway been a very active energetic girl in school and in life. I have suffered from extremely bad migraines since I was 11. But, have dealt with them through medication . Yet for the past month I have been experiencing a very heavy head feeling and numbness throughout diffrent parts of my body. My neck is very stiff and I am always tired and feeling unalert but I do not have a fever. I had an MRI last year that was normal and blood work recently that showed normal white blood cells f and normal bloodwork so there wasnt signs of infection. So doctors believe it is from migraines that I am feeling this way suddenly. I feel like I have a flu in my head and neck with some numbness and I have no appetite, also vomiting frequently but do not have a sore throat or cough. I am not sure if i need a spinal tap but I feel there is something wrong. My family is very concerned because the doctors are not doing much but keeping me on my migraine medication. If you have any insight please let me know. Thankyou

rissa, I'm answering, not because I have an answer, but because I don't want you to feel alone out here. I have to say I would be concerned as well. Are you going to a migraine specialist?, do they have an in-patient unit? Have you been checked for meningitis? My first hunch when I read your symptoms was meningitis and I think it would be reasonable to ask your family doctor about that.

It does sound like there is something more going on than just migraines.. I'm not a specialist so I could certainly be wrong, but I would be concerned too, especially with the numbness since that's a common sign with neurological problems. Have you been to a doctor recently since it started? I would probably make an appointment with a neurologist or maybe even go to the ER, just to get a full workup. If it is meningitis or even anything else neurological you definitely don't want to wait long.

Thankyou for your reply. I went to the nuerologist but they arent doinh anything for me since my MRI last year came out normal. I also went to the ER and they did basic bloodwork that was normal they said except for a high bilirubin which they say isny a problem. So Should i look further into lupus or other blood disorders?

If it were me I would probably get a second opinion, just for peace of mind. Maybe see a different neurologist and not tell them about your previous MRI so they will do another, more recent one. Or see a primary doctor/internal medicine doc and see what they think?

Keep pushing until you get an answer that is to your satisfaction. I can tell you that it is POSSIBLE that it is "just" a migraine or type of head pain. However, it could be many other things also. I had to fight for years to get the best care, and its unfortunate but thats what has to be done sometimes!

Write down how you are feeling, using specific "pain words" like stabbing, aching, heavy, pressure etc and keep track of what you are eating as well as your activities. It really can help the right doctor see how you are really living and how its affecting you!

Im sorry I dont have an "answer" for you!

Please keep us posted on how you are doing!Sara-Migraine/Headache Forum Moderator